House GOP Rejects Senate Homeland Security Bill, Plans Alternative Vote/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed Homeland Security funding bill. Speaker Mike Johnson called the measure a “joke” and proposed an alternative. The dispute risks prolonging airport disruptions and federal worker hardship.
- House GOP rejects Senate funding bill
- Speaker Mike Johnson calls bill “a joke”
- Republicans push full DHS funding through May
- ICE and Border Patrol excluded from Senate bill
- Shutdown now in 42nd day
- Airport delays worsen nationwide
- TSA worker shortages increase travel disruptions
- Trump orders temporary TSA pay
WASHINGTON — House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed bill Friday to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, escalating a political standoff that has already lasted more than six weeks and caused widespread travel disruptions across the United States.
House Speaker Mike Johnson sharply criticized the Senate measure, calling it insufficient because it did not fund immigration enforcement agencies central to President Donald Trump’s agenda.
“This gambit that was done last night is a joke,” Johnson said Friday.
Instead, House Republicans plan to vote on an alternative measure that would fund the entire Department of Homeland Security at current levels through May 22. Johnson said the House would challenge the Senate to take up the new proposal early next week if it passes.
The Senate had approved its version early Friday morning, unanimously passing a bill aimed at ending the 42-day funding impasse that has disrupted airports and left thousands of federal workers facing financial strain.
However, House Republicans objected to the Senate’s decision to exclude funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. Democrats had refused to fund those agencies without new restrictions on immigration enforcement policies.
“We’re going to do something different,” Johnson said, emphasizing House Republicans’ determination to fully fund immigration enforcement.
Shutdown Likely to Continue
Because senators had already left Washington after passing their measure overnight, any House-approved alternative could delay negotiations further. That means the partial shutdown affecting Homeland Security operations could continue.
Pressure had been building to resolve the impasse before Transportation Security Administration workers missed another paycheck. President Trump responded Thursday by announcing he would sign an order to pay TSA agents immediately, citing the need to stop airport chaos.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had hoped the Senate bill would reopen much of the government.
“We can get at least a lot of the government opened up again, and then we’ll go from there,” Thune said.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer countered that Democrats would continue pushing for reforms to immigration enforcement before approving additional funding.
What the Senate Bill Included
The Senate legislation funded major Homeland Security agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agencythe Coast Guard, and the Transportation Security Administration. However, it excluded Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.
Democrats blocked funding increases for immigration enforcement but did not secure the policy restrictions they had sought.
Despite the funding impasse, immigration enforcement operations have continued largely uninterrupted. Last year’s tax legislation signed by Trump allocated billions to DHS, including $75 billion for ICE operations.
Some conservative Republicans criticized even their own party’s proposals, arguing immigration enforcement must be fully funded.
“We will fully fund ICE. That is what this fight is about,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.
Talks Break Down
Negotiations between Republicans and Democrats repeatedly stalled. Democrats pushed for new limits on immigration enforcement, particularly following controversial immigration sweeps and protests, including deadly incidents in Minneapolis.
Proposed changes included requiring federal agents to display identification, remove face coverings, avoid enforcement near schools and churches, and obtain judicial approval before conducting searches.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has indicated openness to some changes, but Democrats sought written commitments.
Trump largely left negotiations to Congress but warned he could deploy National Guard troops to assist airports if disruptions worsen. Immigration agents have also been deployed to check traveler identification.
The White House considered declaring a national emergency to pay TSA workers but ultimately opted to use funds from Trump’s 2025 tax legislation, according to a senior administration official.
Airport Disruptions Grow
The shutdown has significantly affected airport operations. Some airports reported more than 40% TSA callout rates, while nearly 500 TSA officers have resigned during the funding impasse.
Nationwide, more than 11% of TSA workers missed scheduled shifts on Wednesday, totaling over 3,120 callouts.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, welcomed efforts to pay TSA workers but urged Congress to pass a comprehensive funding agreement.
Travelers have faced long delays. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, passenger Melissa Gates missed her flight after waiting more than two and a half hours in security lines.
“I should have just driven, right?” Gates said. “Five hours would have been hilarious next to this.”
With House Republicans preparing an alternative votethe standoff shows no immediate signs of resolution, leaving airports, federal workers, and travelers in continued uncertainty.
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